Childlike Faith

During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. It’s a ghost, they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. Lord, if it’s you, Peter replied, tell me to come to you on the water. Come, he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, Lord, save me! Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. You of little faith, he said, why did you doubt? -Matthew 14:25-31

Last week I shared with you my comment to Dad after spending three months back home in Nigeria. I told him I knew why God didn’t call me to go overseas because He knew I couldn’t hack it. This may sound strange coming from a Missionary Kid that was born and raised overseas. What I realized though is that things are very different when you are an adult. Those three months were the first time I got to see what life was like for my parents through the eyes of an adult.

I loved growing up in Nigeria. It was home. It was very different as a child though. As a child, everything is an adventure. Not having water or electricity for three weeks was part of life and even fun. Going about life in the midst of a governmental coup was just another adventure. I knew Mom and Dad would take care of everything.

Seeing things through the eyes of an adult was a whole new ballgame. Tea cup baths were no longer an adventure. The electricity being off meant making decisions about how long to run the generator to keep food versus when gas would give out. These decisions were made more difficult by the gas shortage. When water was available, did you wash dishes, wash clothes, take a bath, or flush the toilet. Day to day living was much more complicated.

I’ve been thinking about this contrast a lot recently. I forget that God is my Father. He has plans for me and He desires to give me good things. I have a tendency to overanalyze things rather than trusting God. As a child growing up in Nigeria, life was an adventure because I knew and trusted that Mom and Dad were in control and knew how to handle things I didn’t understand. There was much freedom in that. There is also freedom that comes with trusting God like a child. I think that’s the kind of faith Peter had when he stepped out of the boat onto the water. He didn’t understand how it was possible, but because Jesus said “Come,” he did.

What about you? How’s your faith these days? Are you willing to trust God when you don’t understand?

Walking in faith,

-Michelle